• White hairs along the withers under the saddle indicating blood circulation to the skin has been cut off for lengths of time due to pressure
  • Hollow back, will not lift its back, “cold backed”, back sinks when mounted
  • Sores on the back, soft blisters or hard painless lumps, hair loss under the saddle
  • Muscle atrophy on one or both sides of the withers, behind the withers, or loin
  • Temporary swelling after removing the saddle
  • Higher than normal head carriage, head tossing
  • Refusing to stand still while the saddle is placed or while being mounted
  • Flinching or laying back (pinning) their ears while being groomed along the back
  • Bucking or rearing, spooking
  • Inability to use the back correctly, difficultly collecting, bucking, rearing, or spooking
  • Unwillingness to move forward under saddle
  • Inability to bend laterally and/or inability to travel straight
  • Wringing or carrying tail off to one side
  • Shortened, choppy or disjointed gaits, short striding, dragging toes or obscure limb lameness
  • Refusing jumps
  • Difficult to catch